Caton School to be Honored with Excellence in Wellness Award

The Caton School, otherwise known as P.S. 249, will be honored with the Excellence in School Wellness award by the NYC Strategic Alliance for Health during a ceremony Tuesday.

The Excellence in School Wellness award, chartered in 2009, acknowledges elementary school communities who address mandates for student health and wellness by designing low-cost programs using dance and other partnerships.

“While most obesity prevention conversation hinges on bans, taxes or the blame game, the kids who have found a way to stay fit in schools that lack funding for obesity prevention need more attention," said Javier Lopez, Director of the NYC Strategic Alliance for Health in a statement.

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"This month’s ceremonies show how a school can tackle childhood obesity when parents, community based organizations and faculty come together.”

The ceremony Tuesday will include a feature performance by an African dance class comprised entirely of students from Caton.

Local trailblazers in public health will also be on hand to salute their school partner’s accomplishments at these ceremonies. New York Road Runners and the American Heart Association are two members of the Alliance.

"Working with strong collaborators is the only way the scourge of childhood obesity will be defeated,” said Cliff Sperber, New York Road Runners Vice President for Youth and Community Services, which provides free running-based fitness programs in more than 500 NYC schools. 

“Supporting initiatives like the Excellence in School Wellness Awards aligns us with dynamic organizations that are measurably improving public health.”

The ceremony will take place at The Caton School on Marlborough Road from 3-5 p.m. To see a video that previews Tuesday's events and feature students from The Caton School, click here.